ISLANDERS, ASHAM AGREE TO TERMS

The Islanders have agreed to terms with forward Arron Asham on a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

"We're very happy to have Arron signed for next season," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "With Arron back and the signing of Brendan Witt and Chris Simon, we have added a lot of grit, tenacity and character to our lineup. And like Witt and Simon, Arron brings a lot to the table. He is a talented player that can contribute in many ways."

This season will be Asham's fourth with the Islanders and eighth overall in the NHL. Last season, the 28-year old Asham played in 63 games and went 9-15-24 with 103 penalty minutes. He missed the last 18 games of the season with a sprained ankle. In 341 NHL games, Asham has posted 47 goals with 55 assists for 102 points and 390 penalty minutes.

"Being an Islander means a lot to me and I did not want to be anywhere else but Long Island," said Asham. "I love the additions we made to the lineup and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to play for Ted Nolan."

The 5-11, 209-pound Asham was originally drafted by Montreal in the third round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He spent five seasons in the Canadiens organization prior to being traded to the Islanders along with a fifth round draft selection in the 2002 draft for Mariusz Czerkawski in June of 2002.